21: Fallen

Data

We stayed at the cabin until the call came through that it was safe for us to return. Match had called, telling us that the search had been called off. Clutch had some connections in California, and when he had gone out on a business trip, he was able to get some intel that lead us to believe that Marco thought Marigold was dead. Whatever Clutch had said was convincing enough for Match and Tex to believe him.

“When we get back, let’s get a place together. I don’t want you on your own when there’s still a chance that Marco could be a problem again.” I had said on the way back.

“You think there’s still a chance that he’ll come after me?” Marigold had asked. The fear in her eyes made me feel like an ass for saying anything.

“I think there is always a chance for anything to happen in life. I’m not counting him out until I know he’s dead. And I may be using it as an excuse to be next to you.” I had said the last part to try to lighten the mood.

With her being pregnant, I was always trying to keep things calm for her. She had enough on her plate to worry about and I didn’t want to add to any of it. Moving in together had been about a lot more than I was saying, but I wanted to keep her as safe from it all as possible. The carefreeness that we had experienced some moments at the cabin had spoiled me to wanting it to always be like that.

“I think you’re right. After spending all that time with you, I don’t want to go back to living on my own.”

So that’s what we did. We rented a small house that was perfect for a small family. She went back to work, but Naomi was limiting how many patients she was seeing. The fear of being caught was still very real for her and Naomi picked up on the stress. I knew that when the baby came, it would be hard on Marigold to stay home because she was going to still want to help people.

I had no doubts about how good of a mother she would be and as the weeks went by; she started getting things ready for the little one. I only wish that things could have stayed that calm.

Marco

Clutch had done exactly what he said he would. Marigold and the biker came out of hiding and started living their lives as if there was nothing wrong. Clutch had been in contact to let me know what day they would be back, and I informed him we would watch them for a while before we struck. He wasn’t happy about it, but I wanted to make sure I knew all the people I would need to put in the ground for standing against me.

The first photos and videos came in, and Marigold looked essentially the same. Her hair was a little shorter, but I knew her immediately. I could see the slight tummy growth she had and my heart went wild knowing that my child was in there growing.

I had lost it when I saw a video of the biker placing his hands on her stomach and looking at her like she was his world. I didn’t want to acknowledge the feelings that had been growing inside me over the days that I watched her. I wanted to stay angry and prepared to end her life for her disrespect. But the more I watched the harder it was for me to feel those things.

Marigold looked like an angel as she walked around smiling in the photos. I had never seen her look like that the entire time I knew her. She was always so reserved and yet when I saw her with him she looked wild and free. It was like she had become another person, a person who I didn’t know. Someone who would make anyone feel happy just to be in their presence.

One of the men was able to get a camera into her office. I listed to the conversations she had in there. I listened as she tried to help the women who came in there for help. She cared about what happened to those she came in contact with. It was something that I had never noticed about her, but that only led me to thinking if I had ever really gotten to know the woman I had married.

I had been so adamant that we were only in an arrangement and she was only there to provide me with an heir. I only spent time with her when it was needed for a function or to work on getting the heir inside her. I spent all my spare time with Regina. She was accustomed to the lifestyle of the family, so it was easy to have her by my side for a quick fuck instead of going home. My so called spare time was spent at the various businesses and clubs that the family controlled. So if I wanted sex it was either her or one of the women from the clubs. I wasn’t too keen on the latter, so Regina it was.

Those thoughts led to me wondering what Marigold was up to all those nights I was away. She wasn’t allowed to work and then was expected to stay at the house in the evenings. So what kept her busy during all that time? I then started watching tapes of Marigold before she left when she was in the house. She cleaned every day, and I mean cleaned the house from top to bottom. She would then watch television or read for the rest of her time.

So as the time passed I went further down the rabbit hole of what my wife’s life was like. I knew I was in trouble when I started smiling at the things she was doing and saying. I never did that shit and it almost scared me how easily I had started doing it while watching her. I couldn’t stop myself from doing it, just like I couldn’t stop myself from watching her every move.

Rico had told me multiple times that I work that needed to be done. I had answered him multiple times that I would get it done but to leave me alone when I was watching her. I should have known that he would start to wonder what I was thinking. I shouldn’t have been surprised when he asked me just that question.

“Marco. As your friend, I have to ask. What is going on with you? You’ve stopped going out and you’ve done nothing but watch those tapes.” He was trying to be gentle in his questioning, but I could see it in his eyes that he was concerned.

I took a moment to answer him. I hadn’t known until that moment what I had fallen into. I had denied it from day one. The day I met her I tried to push her to the back of my mind, but it was too late even then. It was bound to happen, eventually. I was lying to myself and everyone around me.

“I think I’ve fallen in love with my wife.”

His shock couldn’t be hidden. Hell, my own was all over my face in that moment. Part of me broke in that moment. I wasn’t going to hide it. I was going to embrace it and get my wife back. She would be punished for leaving, but she would be allowed to die. She would stay with me for her entire life.

22: Little Flower

Marigold

Things had just gotten back to normal when it all went to hell. Austin and I had gotten a small house together, and I had returned to work. I still went by Autumn, and Austin constantly checked to see if someone was looking into my new identity. I was happy and feeling safe again. Austin was making sure of it.

I never had any weird feelings of being watched or suspected that anything was going on. I went about my days in pure bliss, learning all there was to know about the man I loved and how we were going to be a family. Nadine had spent lots of time helping take care of me when Austin needed to be at the clubhouse doing work. She had been getting more and more excited about the baby. Each day, she brought a new outfit over.

To say that I was living my life ignorant of what was about to happen would be an accurate account of the situation. No one knew what was coming. I would like to say that it was nothing but a simple situation that was ended quickly but that would be wrong.

I had been in my office finishing up my notes when my door opened. Not looking up, I thought it was Naomi or Rachel who would have been telling me they were leaving. That happened every day and was something I could count on. But that night, nothing could be further from the truth.

“I hope you have a good night. Austin will be here in just a minute to get me, so feel free to go on to the clubhouse.” I had said. There was a party that night and everyone was going to make an appearance.

“I don’t think he’s going to be picking you up, wife.”

Chills ran up and down my spine. That voice belonged to the one person I didn’t want to find me. I looked up to see Marco standing in the doorway leaned against the frame. I noticed he wasn’t wearing his usual suit, but a pair of dark jeans and a black t-shirt. But that wasn’t what had thrown me off. It was the dark circles under his eyes. He looked as if he hadn’t slept in days and once I looked closer, I could see how bloodshot his eyes were.

He just stood there staring at me as if he was taking everything in, almost like he was trying to memorize what I looked like in the moment. It was unsettling, considering the man had never paid that much attention to me before. But he was standing there staring at me all the same. I couldn’t find words to say anything to him. I had really thought I would never see him again.

“Wife, you’re awfully quiet. I would think you would have a lot of things to tell me.” He paused and made it look like he was thinking. “I guess you could start with hello darling.”

He walked closer to me, making sure to close the door. I couldn’t make out the emotions on his face or in his eyes. Which felt like he had turned everything off and was just running on autopilot. He stopped right in front of the desk and sat in one of the chairs. He sat there, relaxed.

“Then you could move onto the fact that you’re pregnant with my child. You could feel me in on all the things that I missed since you choose to take those moments from me. And maybe you could even explain to me why you left. Tell me the reason you choose to walk away from not only your husband but your family. You do remember you have parents? Right, my love?”

I flinched at his words. Where in the hell had that come from? My love? The man had never referred to me in any term of endearment. I knew I couldn’t get away. After everything Austin had told me I knew my husband was a very dangerous man.

“The day I learned I was pregnant I went to your office.” That got his attention. “I asked Gabriella if you were in and she said she thought so since she hadn’t seen or heard from you all morning.”

“Funny she never mentioned that you came by.” His voice had an edge to it and I knew I had made a mistake.

“I begged her not to. I wanted to surprise you. We had been trying and our parents were always going on about a baby. So I thought I would make it special for you.” I took a deep breath. I wanted him to understand the next part. “So you remember what you were doing that morning? The morning I left?”

I watched as the realisation to come to him. Oh, and did it ever. I never thought that I would see the day when Marco would feel guilt or remorse, but I was given that gift on that afternoon. Although he quickly removed the look, I saw it there.

“I do. But I would have thought you would understand that was a part of our lifestyle. You know that the wealthy men never stay within the boundary of their marriages.” He couldn’t look me in the eye as he spoke.

“Oh, do you mean the crime family lifestyle?”

His eyes snapped to mine. He was under the impression that I didn’t know anything about his true lifestyle. I felt some kind of satifaction at that.

“I see you’ve finally learned about our families. But the real question I have for you is did you think you were going to be able to stay hidden? Was it your plan to keep my child from me?” he asked.

“I had hoped to.” I said honestly.

“Why?” he gritted out.

“I don’t want my child to live in that kind of world. The world of the rich and powerful who treat family as a tool to get ahead. Where marriages are arranged and there’s no love. I wanted to find a place that I could give this child a chance to have a normal life.”

Marco got up and walked over to me. He scooped me up and sat in my office chair, placing me in his lap. I was uncomfortable at the closeness; we had never done anything life this in the past.

“Over the last few days, I have been watching you.” I was shocked by this. “You shouldn’t be surprised my love. But watching you has given me a new sense of what it was that I was missing with you. The first day I saw you with that man, I saw someone that I didn’t recognize. You were smiling in a way that I had never seen before. It was lovely.” He tucked a hair behind my ear.

“He makes me happy.” His grip had tightened at those words.

“I went on to watch a video of when you were living in our home. You did everything you were supposed to do. But the smiles were fake. The happiness wasn’t there, even on the days I thought were good. The more I watched the more I wanted you to smile at me the way you did him.”

My heart started to beat wildly. I pleaded with God to make it not so. I wanted nothing more than to go back to the indifference that he had always had before, because that emotion he was showing scared me more than anything.

“Now, you won’t be able to get off scot free. There will be punishment for your actions. But I will ensure that you aren’t killed. With a bit of training….”

My world spun at those words. With a bit of training. Flashes of my past came rushing back to me. I could see it all clearly. My mother and even my father punishing me in brutal ways for the “mistakes” I would make. There had been times when I wasn’t able to attend school or even leave the house because of the pain from the punishment. They had taken me to a hypnotherapist to ensure that I wouldn’t remember those times.

But something about the fact that Marco was the one saying the trigger word made me open up the memories. I grasp the sides of my head and prayed for relief, but there was none to be had. I was in agony and I tried to look into Marco’s eyes to see if he understood what he had done. To my horror he did, and he was delighting in it.

“Now, my little flower, you are going to be a good girl and go to sleep. I can’t have you fighting me the entire way and hurting our baby. Which we will learn the sex of at our first appointment. Once the baby is here, you will get your punishment and then I will see about training. I will make you love me, Marigold. we will be a happy family and these people will be a thing of the past.”

I felt the prick of a needle and everything went dark. Just as I was drifting off, I heard him speak.

“I love you my little flower.”

23: Fear

Data

I was supposed to have left an hour before. But I was stuck working on something for Clutch that was a top priority for the club. He was a nomad, but he had been working more with the club over the last year. Until there was an absolute need for the rest of the brothers to know, he kept most of the things he worked on a secret. I knew better than to ask questions, but it was hard when I wanted to get to my girl quickly.

“Clutch, I think that’s all we’re gonna get. I need to get my girl.” I told him.

“Don’t tell me you’re getting led around by the balls by that girl,” he chuckled.

I had to fight myself to not punch him for the comment. Clutch had always had a way about him that pissed me off most of the time. He wasn’t the nicest person to be around on a good day, and that day wasn’t a good day for me.

“Look, man, I don’t have time for this. I have to go pickup Autumn.” I tried to walk around him, and he grabbed my arm.

“Don’t be like that. She’s just some bitch you’ve been using to get your dick wet.” He said, laughing.

“Don’t you ever fucking talk about her like that!” I yelled as I pinned him to the wall. “You’re lucky I’ve not slit your throat for that.”

“I get it, brother. No harm intended.”

I backed away, pushing the anger down. I made it out to the truck and saw that it was forty-five minutes past the time I was to be there and pick her up. I hoped with everything I had that she wouldn’t be angry that I was so late. Things had been going well over the last few days, and the last thing I want for her is to start feeling fear again.

I pulled up to the office and everything looked normal. I entered the back door, calling out to Marigold. I had taken to calling her that when there was no one else around. When she didn’t answer, fear pricked at my spine. She always called out to me when I called her. I rushed to her office and stopped dead in my tracks at the sight.

There is Marigold’s office sat a man in her chair. He had her sat in his lap unconscious. I instinctively moved toward them only to hear the click of a gun. I turned to see another man standing there behind the door, pointing a gun at my head.

“I think it best if you have a seat, Data. Or do you prefer Austin?” The man holding Marigold said.

I did as he asked, watching his every move. He was running his fingers through her hair as if this was the most normal situation in the world. I gripped the arms of the chair tightly, trying to stay calm in the situation. As I sit in the chair, I realize that the man had to be her husband, Marco.

“Have you put the pieces together yet?” he asked, cocking his head to the side.

“Marco.” I gave a single word answer. I was seething and speaking right then wasn’t a good idea.

“Good! As you can see, I’ve come to take my wife home. I understand that you have been looking out for her while she was wayward and for that you have my thanks. But you would do well to remember that I don’t like someone messing with my possessions.” Marco said with a growl. He held her protectively like I was some kind of threat to her.

“You think Marigold is nothing more than a possession?” I asked.

“Oh, she’s much more than that. You see, I am the man who she’s married to. So that makes her my wife. Mine. She may have made a scene of something that is inconsequential, but that doesn’t change the fact she’s mine.” He looked down at Marigold and kissed her forehead. “Now, let’s get something straight because I need to get my wife home and settled in. You and your little friends are to stay away from me and my family. That means no contact whatsoever.”

The man who had been standing behind the door walked forward and placed the barrel of the gun against my temple. I closed my eyes willing myself to stay calm. Me losing my cool would do nothing but make the situation worse. For Marigold’s safety, I needed to think things through carefully.

“I know you think you’re in love with her, and I know she thinks the same about you. But I assure you that there is no future for the two of you. She is my wife and with a little training she’ll be back to her old self in no time. But you. You are going to need to be on your best behavior. If I get even a raised hair on the back of my neck, that’s related to you, then well I’m sure you can imagine what I would do to the man who fucked my wife.”

“You know that what you’re doing is kidnapping, right?” I spit out. I was doing a piss-poor job of staying calm.

“It’s not kidnapping when you’re bringing your mentally ill wife home.”

“There’s nothing wrong with Marigold.”

“And who do you think the authorities would believe if he came to that? Her husband who has been offering rewards for her safe return or the man who took advantage of a pregnant woman when she needed help the most?”

It enraged me even more to know that he was right. He had every advantage in the fight. He was legally her husband and he could easily use his power and influence to spin things any way he wanted. I would never be able to win that way. I would never be able to get her out safely.

“You know I’m right. Now be a good boy and head home. Tell everyone that she went home to her family where she belonged.”

The man with the gun grabbed my shoulder and pulled me to my feet. He pushed me out the door with his gun shoved in the back of my head. I tried to think of anything that would work to get her out of that monster’s grip, but there was nothing I could do that wouldn’t put her in immediate danger. I had to let her go with him until I could find a way to get her back safely.

Once he had pushed me out the door, he walked me over to my truck. The man made sure that I got in and left. Marco wasn’t about to take any chances on me. I drove straight to the clubhouse. Fear was a constant companion on that drive. Nothing was making sense and I couldn’t think straight from all the fear and worry I had coursed through me.

I ran through the door, making a loud sound that got everyone’s attention. Naomi and Rachel looked behind me like they were looking for her. The brothers gathered around and everyone looked like they were itching to ask the question.

“They came for her. He’s got her. We gotta get her back!”

24: Clouds

Marigold

The feeling of laying on a cloud was all I could sense. It felt like I was sent to the gates of heaven and allowed to lie in a field of big, white, fluffy clouds. I could feel myself running my hands through them at my sides. A smile lit up my face at the knowledge that I was safe and secure with nothing more to worry about. Nothing bad could reach me there. I could live in peace with no drama and fear. I felt like I opened my eyes and saw nothing but the white fluff.

Then the murmurs started. I couldn’t make out what the voices were saying. But the more I heard them I saw changes. The far edges of the clouds started to turn black. It had slowly begun creeping toward me as the voices became more and more clear. Just as the blackness reached my feet, I understood a voice. A voice that filled me with fear. A voice that wanted to make me run as far as I could to escape the owner.

“She’s going to need to be broken again, Marco. You know I can’t promise anything. I’ll basically have to start over with her. Do you want that while she’s pregnant?”

It was my mother’s voice I was hearing. She was talking about doing those horrible things again. My body felt like it was shaking and the next thing I knew I was falling. The safety of those clouds was gone, and I was thrown into a storm that I couldn’t escape. Yet as I fell I still heard the voices.

“I don’t think we should retrain until after the baby is born. I need her strong for the birth. Maybe in the meantime I can get her to change and forget that man. I’m going to make her love me. She’ll see how happy we can be as a family, and then maybe we won’t need the training.” Marco answered.

I hit the bottom of the fall. I felt like all the air was being pushed out of my lungs. His words were like the ground that caught my body as it feel. He was pushing all the air from my lungs with his claims. How had any of that become a concern of his? He cared little for me other than as a womb. Then he suddenly wanted to become my lover and husband in every sense of the world. Nothing made sense and the more I tried to focus on it the more confused I became.

I was desperately thirsty once I could calm my breathing, and I knew I had to admit to myself and then that I was awake. The fall and everything with it had merely been a dream. If only it could have stayed that way. I didn’t want to wake up in the reality I knew I was in.

“Water.” I crooked out.

I cracked my eyes to see my parents sitting on chairs at the end of the bed. Marco comes forward with a small glass of water. He helps me to sit up and get the glass to my mouth. I slowly drank the water, making my throat feel better instantly.

“How long was I out?” I asked.

The look on my mother’s face let me know she wasn’t expecting me to ask such a normal question. In all honesty, I should have been confused or ready to fight the world with the way things happened. But there was something in me telling me I needed to stay calm. If I was going to have any chance of making it out of this situation, then I would need to use my head.

“Flower, how are you feeling?” Marco asked, sitting on the bed beside me. My parents watched on with disbelief. They, too, were learning that Marco was acting crazy.

“I’m tired. When does my punishment start? And what is going to happen to me?” I blurted out the things that were bothering me the most.

“Oh Flower, those things can wait. You are carrying my child. We need you to be strong for the delivery. While you’re pregnant, there won’t be any punishment that will involve harm coming to you or the child. Now that I know what you’re capable of I have outfitted the house with cameras in every room. There won’t be any way you can run away again.” Marco smiled softly.

The man had to have been losing it. Who would look so sweetly at someone they planned to punish later? It was like he was two people. One wanted to love me while the other wanted to hurt me. I glanced over at my mother and could see the fury in her eyes. She would make me pay dearly for what I had done.

“Marco, why don’t we go down and get Marigold something to eat? I’m sure you see needs to feed that child.” My father asked and then headed to the door.

Marco followed him after giving me a kiss on the forehead. I had to force myself to not recoiled from it. My skin felt slimy and disgusting any place that he touched. I didn’t know if it was from the kidnapping or from his affair, but I was repulsed by him.

“You may think you’ve gotten out of it, but I assure you, girl, you’re going to pay for the stunt you pulled.” My mother’s snippy voice called out.

I looked over and saw that the act was over. She wasn’t holding in her anger any more. It was there all over her face and in the way she was tensing her hands around the arm of the chair. Fear crept into every cell of my being. Since I could remember the things she had done in the past, I knew that she was capable of doing anything even killing me.

“I don’t believe I’ve gotten away with anything. I was only trying to give my child a good future.” She scoffed at my words.

“A good future? What by slumming it with a biker? Or how about taking that child away from their father and their birth rights? Did it ever occur to you that you are not the only one invested in that thing’s life?” She hissed.

“Thing?” I growled out. It was the first time I spoke back to her. It could have been my last. “You do understand that this is a living being in here, right?” I said, pointing to my stomach.

“Of course, I’m not stupid. But I also understand the responsibilities of life. You’ve been giving everything a woman could ask for, but you insist on running away and acting like a child over something as simple as an affair?”

Sitting there with her perfecting styled hair and nails, my mother was the poster girl of Mafia wives. Her arched brow only infuriated me more. It felt like she was taunting me.

“So love isn’t something women want? Safety isn’t as well?” I yelled. I stood and walked over to her. “You sit there acting as if you’re some kind of patron saint of wives, and yet you don’t know the first thing about love. Not everyone in this world is after power. But I guess when you’re willing to whore yourself out to a man just for power, then you could never understand a concept as simple as love!”

The slap came so quickly that I had thought I imagined it. The raging sting from it erased any feeling I had of it not being real. When I looked back at her, my mother had her hand raised as if she was going to hit me again.

“I think that’s enough Priscilla.” my father called out from the doorway. “We don’t’ want to upset Marco.”

“Upset me with what?” he asked as he walked in carrying a tray of food for me.

“Oh, just my scolding her. But you need to what her, Marco. She slapped herself in the face. She may try to harm herself.” My mother said, looking like she was concerned.

What a bitch, was all I could think.

25: A Plan

Data

I had never been so lost in my life. The entire ride back to the clubhouse I had tried to come up with a plan. Saving Marigold from Camilleri wasn’t something that would be easy. Maybe it wasn’t possible. But I had to try, even if it meant giving my life to hers. There was no question that I was willing to do anything to keep her safe.

The thought of what she may have been going through was killing me. What if he was hurting her physically? Would she and the baby be alright? Would her parents be able to get to her? Those thoughts had my heart beating so fast I couldn’t tell if it was heartache or a heart attack.

“So down Data. What happened?” Match asked, leading me over to one table.

Rachel rushed over with a glass of water since she could see I was out of breath and panicking. I tried to slow my breathing and took a long drink of the water. I needed to be clear about what happened if we were going to make a plan. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a face I didn’t think I would ever see again. Macy was sitting there on Clutch’s lap with a smirk on her face.

“You!” I yelled, pointing at her and slamming the glass down. “What did you do? Did you run and tell the Camilleris where she was? Did you need money that bad that you would endanger someone’s life?”

Macy looked at me with fear, and it didn’t stop me from rushing up to her and almost grabbing her off Clutch’s lap. She shrinks into herself and pushes herself closer to Clutch every second I look at her. I wanted her to be afraid. Something in me had clicked, and that led me to believe that she had something to do with all this.

“I didn’t have anything to do with this I swear!” Macy cried out. She was shaking. “ I didn’t go anywhere near them. I didn’t want to get involved. Those men are scary and I didn’t want to be attached to them in any way.”

Clutch stood with her and placed her behind him. He was protecting her, and that wasn’t sitting well with me. He knew we had gotten rid of the women in favor of keeping the peace around the clubhouse. I had never once noticed the two of them together before. None of it made sense to me. Clutch wasn’t one to settle for a single woman.

“Now, Data, I think you need to calm down. If she says she didn’t do it I believe her. She’s under my protection.” Clutch said. He looked me dead in the eye. “I think you need to back off now. She’s mine and there’s not a damn thing you can do about it.”

“Are you saying you’re claiming her as your old lady?” Tex asked.

“I am. Isn’t that right sweetheart?” Clutch said, wrapping an arm around Macy.

“Ye…Yes. That’s right.” Macy said.

Anyone could see there was something off about the way the two of them were interacting. I didn’t have time to stand there and fight over whether she was involved. When a brother put his woman under his protection, only solid proof would be enough to do anything about someone’s crimes against the club.

“Tex, Data. My office.” Match called out.

I followed the two men that I knew I could trust with my life. I also knew that going into his office was the one way we could be sure that no one would be listening in on our conversation. I had begun to feel unsure of who I could trust in the club. I knew that those two along with Hammer were it for me. There was just too much doubt at that time for me to think any different.

“Who else thinks there’s a snake in the club?” Tex asked.

“Exactly. There was no way he could have found her just on the information from the web. I covered everything from her trail. There’s just no way he could have found her unless someone told him.” I said.

“Either of you have someone you suspect?” Match asks.

“Macy was pretty pissed off when she had to leave. She wanted Data pretty bad. I could see her doing it just to get Autumn out of the way. But something about that doesn’t feel exactly right. I’m not sure she’s smart enough to do that.” Tex said.

“Check her financials.” Match said, looking at me.

I sat down at his computer and started looking. It didn’t take long to notice large deposits being made in her account. It was nowhere near the ten million, but it was way more than she had ever seen before. Someone is putting money into her account, and I felt it was whoever really turned in Marigold. It could have been something Clutch was doing, but that would have been off. If she was his old lady, then she wouldn’t need to have a separate account. Clutch would have taken care of everything for her.

“She’s got money coming in, but not enough to be the reward.” I said.

“So someone is funding her. It’s most likely the person who went to Marco. We all know there is a suspect front and center of all our minds, but I want to play this safe. If Clutch is involved then it could be anyone.” Match said.

“Let’s not jump to conclusions here. Yeah, it looks bad for Clutch, but he’s been loyal to the entire time we’ve known him. I wouldn’t start doubting him just because of one woman.” Tex said.

“He put her under his protection. He’s claiming her. That man has never wanted to be tied down to anything. That’s why he’s a nomad. I don’t trust that he’s just suddenly fallen in love with her.” I said.

“Regardless of what we all think, we have to come up with a plan. And it stays between the three of us. We tell the club that we’ve given up on autumn. That Data doesn’t want to take on the mafia, so he’s giving up on her. Our snake will take that back to Marco, and he may drop his guard.” match said with a smirk.

I thought back to when I talked with Marco. He was a arrogant son of a bitch and that would be the one thing that would bring him down. Letting him think he’s won was the best path forward. It hit me in that moment that I knew the best way to use that against him and make sure he would never be a problem again.

“Who’s the one group in this world who hates the Camilleri’s more than we do?” I asked.

“The Strakhov’s.” Tex answered.

“If Marco is distracted by having her back, then the Strakhov family can move in and take them out. Does anyone have an in with the Strakhov family?” I asked.

“I do. I know one of the soldiers. I’ll contact him now.” Match said.

26: It Will Happen

Marco

“Data showed up at the clubhouse all worked up. After accusing Macy like we planned, he got pulled into the office with the prez and the vice prez. I don’t know what was said because the room is soundproof. When they come out, Data looked like someone shot his dog!” Clutch laughed like it was the funniest thing in the world.

“So what makes you think I care about that?” I asked.

Clutch had gotten on my nerves over the last few days. He got his money, but he wanted to ensure that nothing was coming back to him. Macy had somewhat taken the fall for the crime and he wanted to keep it that way. I could not have cared less about what the situation was with his club. As long as they stayed out of my way, I was happy.

“You should care because after they came out, it was announced that we were doing anything to get Autumn back. Data had given up saying it was too much work and wasn’t worth the risk. That means you won’t have to worry about anyone coming after your wife.” He said, smirking at me.

He was right. That was something I cared about. For the first time in a while, I smiled. Knowing that I could take that information and break Marigold’s defiance just a bit was fantastic. Marigold had been careful to not push me too far with her defiance. But her interactions with me still weren’t what I wanted them to be.

“Rico, give Clutch another five million. He’s done an exceptional job. Now I believe I need to leave and go see my wife.”

****

I walked into the house and found Marigold in the kitchen. She was cooking. The scene was something I had missed while she was gone. The longer she was back the more I realized that there were lots of things that I had taken for granted and had overlooked. I had refused to hire a chef while she was gone. Nothing that anyone made seemed to be as good as the food that she made. Having her back was proving to be the thing that was making me happy for the first time that I could remember.

Marigold

I could sense him as he walked in behind me. I had to fight my body because all I wanted to do was squirm away from him. The thoughts of his touch made me physically ill. Each night I lay in bed with his arms wrapped around me. I was totally disgusted with myself. Why couldn’t I fight back? Why did I not run that night in the clinic? All the questions that ran through my mind had one answer, the baby.

it had only been a couple of days since I was taken and yet it felt like a lifetime. I rested a hand on my stomach and felt the round form that had started to really show. I had lost count of where I was in my pregnancy, and it made me feel like the worst mother ever. I had been doing everything I could to keep the baby safe and yet missing out on so much because of my fear.

Arms wrapped around my waist, and I closed my eyes and willed myself to stay still. He pressed his nose into my hair and inhaled my scent. Where was this man all those days we were together? He had told me that my leaving had made him understand how he really felt about me. I thought it was more like he became obsessed because I was the first to reject him in some way.

“How are you my little flower? Did you have a nice day?” He asked as he started kissing my neck as he asked.

“It was good. Marco, I need to get a checkup with a doctor. I can’t remember how far along I am and I was hoping to find out what the sex is.” I said, trying to change the subject.

“I’ll have a doctor come in and we can take care of that.” He turned me in his arms and pulled me away from the stove. “I have some news for you little flower. It seems the biker has given up on you. Word is it’s too much trouble.”

The sound that comes from me is something between a sob and a strangled scream. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Austin wouldn’t give up on me. I just knew he wouldn’t. But somewhere in my mind I doubted him. Tears filled my eyes and as I looked at Marco, I felt a sense of hopelessness. Why would he do that? What could have made my sweet Austin give up on me?

“Little flower I know this is hard for you. You thought you were in love with the dirty little biker. But I promise you that in time it will all seem like a bad dream. Once our baby gets here and you have gone through your retraining, everything will be perfect. You’ll love me and I’ll make you happy. I promise.” Marco said, pulling me into a hug.

I let the tears fall at that. I felt the doubt wanting to take over, but somewhere in my heart there was still an ember of hope. In that small place, I knew that he wouldn’t give up. Maybe it was a ploy to make Marco drop his guard? My thoughts kept going in that direction until I heard Marco’s phone ring.

“Yes.” Marco answered gruffly.

“What do you mean the shipment is missing? Were you and your men not supposed to be watching it?” He yelled.

I tensed as I felt his hand tighten around me to the point I was sure it was going to leave a bruise.

“You fucking idiot! I’ll be right there!”

I pulled back and looked up into his face. Marco was a shade of red that I didn’t think was possible. Anger was rolling off him and it made me shrink into myself more. I went to move myself further away, and he pulled me quickly into a kiss. I tried to push him away, but there was no getting away from him. I tried to fight him off, but he just pulled me closer and somehow worked his way into my mouth with his tongue. When he finished, he pulled back, and all I wanted to do was slap him.

“When I get back, I expect you to be in our bed naked. I’m going to need to work off my anger and you are going to help me with that. And don’t bother trying to avoid this. It will happen Marigold.”

He kissed my forehead and headed out of the kitchen. Once he was out of the house, I sunk to the floor crying. What could I do other than obey him? I would be betraying Austin. Would he understand that when he learned about what I was forced to do? Was there something I could do to prevent it from happening?

I finished cooking and then forced some of the food down. I watched the clock for the rest of the night. Just before going to sleep, I snuck a kitchen knife into the bedroom with me. I placed it under the pillow and lay in the bed. I didn’t undress, and I wasn’t planning to do what Marco asked. I couldn’t bring myself to cheat on Austin. Even if what Marco said was true, I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I gave into Marco. I had to just wait and pray for strength.

27: Listen Closely

Marigold

Marco never returned that night. He didn’t return the following night either. I wondered if something major happened and it was keeping him away from me. I said a silent thank you at the thoughts that someone or something was protecting me even without trying.

My prayers and hopes were dashed after two days, when Marco arrived home just after lunchtime. I had just finished eating and was washing up the dishes when I heard the front door. My spine went ridged and fear crept up inside my soul. He would expect things from me I didn’t want to give.

“Marigold. Where are you, little flower?” His voice rang out throughout the house.

“I’m… I’m just in the kitchen cleaning up.” I called out. My voice had been shaken and I couldn’t bring myself to settle down.

Marco walked into the kitchen carrying an enormous bouquet of pink marigolds. I wasn’t able to stop my eyes from widening at the sight of them. Marco had never once in the time we were engaged or married bought me flowers. I took them in my arms as he handed them over with a smile.

“I need to apologize to you my love. I had told you I would be back later that night and things kept me away. I’m sorry for disappointing you like that. Do you think you can forgive me?”

Marco looked at me with what I can only describe as an attempt at puppy dog eyes. It was unnerving, and I felt scared to not respond. What had happened to the man I was married to? It was the only question I had at that moment. Had he hit his head or worse lost all his senses?

I knew I had to try to play his game if I had any hopes of surviving this. Whatever was going on with him, I was unfortunately tied to it. I didn’t like it, but I had to protect myself and my child.

“Of course. Work always comes first, Marco.” I smiled softly, channeling all the training I had gone through.

A wife was to always be there to take on her husband’s burdens. That was rule number one in the rules my mother had taught me. Those rules were going to be the only weapon I may use to protect myself.

“Oh, but you are so much more important. I hated being away from you. I’ve already had to spend so much time away from you.” he moves some hair from around my face.

His touch is gentle like he’s touching a delicate piece of glass that will break under his touch. He was doing things that were unsettling. I couldn’t bring myself to ask out loud why he was doing such things.

“I just wanted you to know that I want to be with you even when I cannot. Tell me about how you are our baby are doing?” he asked, leading me to the island to sit down.

“I’ve been well. But I’ve been very sore lately. I think it’s because the baby is getting bigger.”

The only plan that I could come up with to keep him from trying to have sex with me was to claim pain. The baby was far too important for him to push his needs on me. He had Regina, after all.

“What do you mean sore?” he asked concern evident in his eyes.

“It’s embarrassing to say.” I whisper out.

I had hoped that the sweet, innocent bride routine would work. He had always seemed to like the fact that I was shy around him. Since he had me back, I could try to use that as another tool to help me get through it.

“Oh flower. Do you mean down there?” his smirk let me know he had enjoyed hearing me act like that.

Lord the man was infuriating. How could he honestly think that I would be that shy after everything I had been through? Part of me wanted to reach into his jacket and take his gun off him and shot him in the foot, or worse. The more I had been around him the more I realized how manipulated I had been.

“Yes. I’m sorry. I know that’s not something you want to hear. I just I didn’t want you to be upset.”

I then acted so well I should have been given an Oscar. Thinking about missing Austin I was able to make myself cry. The crying got harder and before I knew it, Marco had taken the flowers from my hands and wrapped me up in a hug.

With a gentleness, I didn’t know possible, Marco tried to soothe me. I had held back all my emotions since I was taken. Something in me had told me that crying over Austin wouldn’t end well for me. So I took all that emotion and stored it up, waiting for the time

“Flower, you don’t need to worry about that. I can wait until you’re feeling better. I wouldn’t dream of having sex with you if it was going to hurt you. I know it’s hard to believe, but I do love you, Marigold, and I want us to be happy. I will wait until you’re ready for me.”

Marco kissed me on the forehead and then stood up. He headed up the stairs to no doubt change and clean himself up. I sat there looking at the flowers placed on the table and thought about what all it had meant. Were the words he was saying real, or was it just some trick to get me to get me to trust him?

“That was quite the performance, Marigold.” I looked up to find my mother standing in the doorway.

“Mother. I didn’t know you were here today.” I said, standing.

“I had come to check in and make sure you weren’t trying to do anything as stupid as running away.” She sneered.

“I wouldn’t. I’ve learned…..” She cut me off.

“You’ve learned your lesson. Is that the bullshit you want me to believe?”

She sat down across from me and set her purse down with an exasperated look on her face. Since my memories had returned, I found myself more afraid of the woman. I remembered the beatings as well as the times she had set me up in front of others to make me look bad. As far as mothers went, Priscilla Malta was one of the worst.

“You left because you discovered that Marco and Regina were having an affair. I was surprised that it took so long for you to figure that out. I thought I had taught you that your job in marriage was to be a support for your husband. That means that you support him no matter what. Something as small as an affair is nothing to worry yourself over. But you Marigold. You use it as an excuse to run away and not support your husband or this family. Do you know how disappointing that is?” she says, cocking her head to the side, looking at me as if I’m some kind of disgusting insect.

“I didn’t want my child to grow up in a home without love.” I said. She laughs at the statement.

“God, where did you even come from child? I never taught you to be like that. Love isn’t real, and it’s definitely not something you should expect from a man. They only think with their penis, darling. No man is ever going to be loyal and love you. Whatever that biker and Marco have told you is nothing but a lie. The only thing that you need is power.”

“You’re wrong.”

“No, I’m the only one that’s telling you the truth. You are in a place that can give you great power. Your position not only gives you power, but me as well. So listen closely, girl. If you want to live to see that baby, you better keep your damn mouth shut and do as I say. If you don’t, then anything you think Marco is capable of will only be a drop in the bucket of what I can do to you.”

28: Going Up In Flames

Marco

Two days after returning from the shipment fiasco, Marigold and I were sitting in our bedroom with a doctor, having an appointment for the baby. Marigold was unsure of how far along she was, so we were having a scan done. I couldn’t bear the thought of what kind of care she must have been getting when she was gone, so I got the best doctor I could find. I would not allow my child to come into this world without having the best care available.

“Well, it looks like you are around twenty weeks pregnant. The baby is measuring right on track and you seem in great health yourself. I have no doubts Mr. Camilleri that your wife has been taking care of herself and has received good care. Would you like to know the sex of the baby?” the woman asked.

“Yes. I want to know what we are having.” I answered.

We hadn’t discussed if we wanted to know the sex or not. Marigold was still coming to terms with the fact that she wasn’t going anywhere. I knew that the day I informed her that her little biker wasn’t coming for her had made her lose hope. In fact, that was the exact reason I had told her. I loved her, but I wanted her spirit broken when it came to thoughts of leaving.

“Congratulations, you are having a boy.” The woman answered.

I pulled Marigold’s hand in mine and kissed it. I could see the tears in her eyes, and I was sure they were tears of joy.

“Thank you, little flower. I’m so happy.”

And I was truly happy. A son would be the perfect heir and would be someone that I could teach everything to. He could also be another person to protect his mother once he was old enough to fight. I would finally be able to get my parents off my back. I wanted to talk more to the doctor but my went off. I pulled it out to find a text from Regina. She had become more of a problem since Marigold was back. She had been making demands that she had no right to.

As I stepped out of the room to remind her of her place, my phone began ringing. This time it was Rico. He knew about the appointment with the doctor, so I knew something had to be wrong for him to be calling.

“What happened?” I said as soon as the call connected.

“The warehouse is on fire. We need to get down there now. Word on the street is that it’s the Strakhovs.”

“Fuck! I’m on my way.” I rushed back into the room. “There’s an emergency. I’m calling your mother to come over until I get back!”

I didn’t give her a chance to say anything back. I rushed as fast as I could to the warehouse. I didn’t know what had started this fight with the Russians, but I knew that I would have to be at my best if we had any hopes of overcoming the fight.

When the car pulls up in front of the warehouse, I was shocked at the flames that were licking up in the air. It looked as if someone had dowsed the place in gasoline and lit a match to the place. My men were running around trying to salvage anything they could while the fire department did their best to put out the flames. Everything we had in our latest shipments was in that warehouse waiting to be shipped out to our distributers.

“What the fuck happened?” I yelled as I came up to Rico.

“We don’t know yet but, my guess would be gas and a match. As soon as tIhe fire department gets it out, we can look into it more. I’ve managed to keep the cops away, so there’s at least that.” Rico said.

It took the fire department almost two hours to get the fire under control. By that time, my father had also joined us at the warehouse. We were discussing plans to replace the product when the first shot sounded. In the blink of an eye, the man who was standing in front of Rico, reporting what he had found had been shot in the head.

The men started yelling and pulling out their weapons. I crouched down, pulling my father with me, and drew my weapon. Within seconds, there were shots coming from every direction. I couldn’t pinpoint where anything was coming from because of the chaos. I yelled for Rico but couldn’t see him anywhere.

“Marco, we need to get out of here! This is a trap!” my father yelled.

Everything in me knew he was right, but I couldn’t just turn and run while my men were fighting for their lives. I fired off as many shots as I could in the direction of where I thought one of the shooters was. I couldn’t tell you if any hit their mark.

“I’m not going to sit around and wait to be killed.” My father called out.

I turned to tell him not to move, but as soon as he raised his head just a bit, he was shot and killed. A tortured cry came out of my mouth without me even thinking about it. I crawled myself over to my father and held his head in my arms. He was gone, and it had been instant. How would I ever be able to face my mother? I didn’t protect the man who had helped bring me into this world.

I heard more and more screams and yelling. I looked around to see man after man fall to the ground dead. Almost every one of them were one of mine. How had things fallen apart so quickly?

The gunfire had all but stopped when I heard a voice calling out to me.

“Marco. Come out. Come out. Wherever you are.”

Sasha Strakhov. The man led the worst criminal family in the United States. My father had dealt with him for years before they finally made peace. I had never once thought that there would be anything to break it. I had done everything in my power to keep things civil with them.

“Come now Marco! You aren’t going to hide from me like some child afraid of the boogie man are you?”

I knew I needed to get away before he could find me. If he was willing to come after us like that, he was going to do anything he can to take over the family. Going after someone like he did was a declaration of war.

“I see I’m going to have to convince you. I have your right-hand man, Rico.” I took a quick look and saw him standing there with a pistol to Rico’s head. I couldn’t let him harm Rico.

“I’m here.” I said, standing up.

“There you are. I must say you made this easier than taking candy from a baby. It’s like you served the keys to your kingdom up on a silver platter,” he said, chuckling.

“What is it you want, Sasha? Why start a war out of nowhere?” I gritted out.

“I want it all my friend. And you are going to give it to me.”

29: A Storm

Marigold

I never thought there would be a time when I wished Marco were home with me. But when he said that he was sending my mother over to be with me, I felt fear for the first time when he was leaving. Normally all I would feel was relief that I wouldn’t have to be on my toes and quick thinking for at least a few moments. That day I felt terror at the thoughts of being alone in the house with my mother.

After her last visit with her threats, I couldn’t bear the thoughts of being in her presence. All those childhood fears came rushing back, and I knew she was serious about her threats. Part of me wished I had the strength to tell Marco of what she said to me. He could have kept her away and made sure I wasn’t around her. But that all depended on if he was willing. From what I gathered, he thought she had done the right things in her training me. He felt I needed more training, if anything. Nothing short of getting out of there would save me from her.

“Marigold I’m here. Marco left in a frenzy and said that I should stay with you until he returns. He was very clear that I stay in the room with you. Did you do something bad again, girl?” My mother stated, walking into my room.

“No. We were learning the sex of the baby and having an appointment. He got an urgent call and left quickly and didn’t say anything. I hope everyone is alright.” I said.

She eyed me like she was trying to find the lie in what I had said. There wasn’t one to be found. I did hope everyone was alright, everyone who wasn’t Marco. Since I had returned to the house, I had learned that I needed to up my game when it come to making sure people couldn’t read me. So doing that, I told half truths. That way, I could always school my face.

“Do you now? Well, what are you having? You said you were learning the sex of that baby. So out with it.” She said with a snap.

“I don’t know if he wants to tell people yet. He may was to make an announcement.” I said. I was treading lightly with her, but I knew she could and would snap at any moment.

“Nonsense. I’m your mother. I should be allowed to know before anyone!”

Her anger was rising, and the surrounding air seemed to drop. I felt like I had been dropped in the artic with the way she was looking at me with her cold dead eyes. The hair on the back of my neck stood up and goose bumps filled my skin. Everything in my body had screamed danger.

I was standing beside the bed on the side where I slept. I still had the knife hidden between the box spring and the mattress. If she had come at me, I was ready to take her down if I needed to. I wasn’t going to let her hurt me ever again. I squared my shoulders and stood tall. I had to show I wasn’t afraid of her even if I had been filled with fear.

“I think that Marco above anyone should make that decision. He is the head of the family and the baby’s father. I don’t want to anger him by going against his plans he may have. Do you?”

I knew I was playing a dangerous game with what I was doing. She could crack and there would have been nothing I could do about it. Sure, there was security around, but in a house that size it could take minutes to get to me. I would be dead before they even entered the room.

“I suppose you are right. He is the one in charge. We’ll just wait until he comes home. Then I will have him tell me.”

She turned and walked out the door of the bedroom. I grabbed the knife and hid it in the knee-high boots I was wearing. Even if I was only sitting around the house, I had to be fully dressed and looking my best. Marco wouldn’t settle for any less. That day, I was thankful for that fact. It could very well save my life.

Once down stairs I noticed it had gotten very dark outside. I wondered if there was going to be a storm and as if God himself was answering me there was a bit of rain. I looked at my mother who was also looking out at the scene, and wondered what it would have been like to have a mother who loved me. Someone who would have protected me from harm instead of being the one to commit it.

Her phone went off, and she looked at the notification. Her brows furrowed and then she looked at me with a look I had never seen on her face before.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“The main warehouse is on fire. Your father is on his way over there.”

“Maybe the rain will help put it out.” I said. I had tried to sound hopeful, but in truth I wanted to laugh.

“The storm is coming from the wrong direction. It won’t help them. Over there they have sun with a few clouds.”

She walked into the living room and sat down. I joined her and turned on the television to try to distract myself. I don’t know how long we were sitting there before she turned to me and glared in my direction.

“What?” I asked.

“I know what you did.” She screamed and stood, lunging for me.

Somehow, I got away from her and put the couch in between us. I noticed her phone in her hand was bright, meaning she saw something on it. At the time I didn’t know what she was talking about, but whatever it was she was angrier than I had ever seen her.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about!” I said calmly.

“You set those Russians on us didn’t you?” She yelled.

“Mother, I really have no idea what you’re talking about.” I yelled back.

“You little rat, I’m gonna make you pay.” She screamed and ran around the couch to me.

As soon as I noticed her moving, I grabbed the knife I had hidden in my boot. I had just pulled it out when all the lights went out in the house. That action caused my mother to stop in her tracks. I had expected to hear the footsteps of the security detail, but nothing happened. I quietly moved to where my mother would not be able to notice me. With the house being completely in the dark, she had a hard time navigating around the furniture.

A hand wraps around my mouth, and an arm pulls me backward. I start to struggle until I take in the familiar scent of Austin.

“Sshh. It’s me baby. Just stay as quiet as you can.” he whispered into my ear.

“Marigold, get over here. You need to be punished for what you’ve done!”

The next thing I hear is something hitting someone in the head and the lights come on, showing Tex standing over my mother with a gun in his hand.

30: Revelations

Data

I let the breath that I felt like I had been holding in ever since the day Marigold was taken. I held her in my arms as we fly back to Oak Hollow. Sasha Strakhov had allowed us to use his personal jet to fly out to where Marco was keeping her and to fly us back home. The Russian had been more than happy to team up in order to take down the Camilleri family. There had been more bad blood between the two than I had originally thought.

Marigold had fainted as soon as the lights had come on and she saw Tex and I there in the house. I had spoken with Naomi and she said it was from the shock of everything she had been through. We couldn’t know the full extent of what had been happening in that house, but I was relieved to find no physical marks on her. I had prayed that it indicated she had not experienced any abuse.

When we had arrived with a few of Sasha’s men, we were told that we were to strictly deal with Marigold and the person who was with her. Sasha had been able to see from Marco’s cell phone Marigold was at home and guarded, but nothing that we couldn’t handle. So while his men took out the guards we snuck into the house once the power was out. I could hear her mother screaming at her and I knew we couldn’t wait to get to her.

Tex had brought some night vision goggles, and we could move around the home undetected. Tex knocked the woman out while I handled my girl. She looked so exhausted as she laid in my arms. I wanted to take her home and crawl into bed with her and pretend this had all been a bad dream.

“You look like you still want to murder someone.” Tex said from across the aisle.

He was sitting next to an unconscious but bond Priscilla Malta. He had offered to come with me on the mission, knowing that it could go one of two ways. We could save Marigold or we would die trying. Tex had always been quiet toward her, but his being willing to come and help let me know he approved of her.

“I know I promised the Russians Marco, but if I’m a hundred percent honest with you, I’d rather be the one to kill the bastard.”

“I think that’s only natural, brother. I would be the same if my woman had been taken against her will. But Strakhov has something planned for the asshole. Man, I wouldn’t want to be in his place for anything.”

Once we got to the clubhouse, we see that we weren’t the only ones arriving late to the party. Sasha got out of a car with his men, bringing Marco and Marigold’s father into the clubhouse. Both men looked like they had been to hell and back and I didn’t want to think of what kinds of torture the men went through. They were pushed through the doors and into the large room that we held church in.

Everyone but the brothers were not allowed to be there. Marigold and her mother were the only females allowed. Marigold was still asleep as we walked in, but once I sat down, she stirred awake. She looked around and visibly relaxed when she understood where she was.

“What’s going to happen?” She whispered while holding onto my arms tightly.

“We worked with the Russians to get you back and take down Marco for good. There’s a lot that you don’t know about what the Camilleri’s have been doing. It’s bad baby.” She only nods her head

“Why don’t we get started gentleman?” Sasha said, grinning at everyone in the room. He had enjoyed every second of what had happened. “Now let’s start off by saying thanks to the Blades MC we have been able to finally take down the Camilleri family. You men let us know when Marco was the most distracted, and that was an invaluable tip.” he looked over at Marigold. “I’m sorry it took us so long to get to you, but you’re free now.”

I looked at Marco, and he was kneeling there, staring at Marigold. There was anger in his gaze but i didn’t think that was directed toward her. No, that was for me alone as I sat holding his wife while she clung to me like a lifeline. Part of me didn’t blame him for his anger. His wife wanted to be anywhere but with him, and that alone would piss off any man.

“Now, onto the main event. Marco, I’ve known for a long time the kind of business you’ve been getting into and I must say even for you it is low. Did you men know that this family has started trafficking women? That’s right Marco decided that it would be a good idea to get into the darkest parts of the mafia life.” Sasha said.

Marigold flinched in my arms. I knew she had to be shaken by everything she was hearing. It must have been hard learning that the person you were married to was more evil than you ever knew.

“My father was the one that started it.” Marco groaned out.

“Oh, you mean the father I put a bullet into? That father?” Sasha said.

A scream tore through the silence as Marigold’s mom tried to get out of her bonds and run toward Sasha. She trashed like a madwoman with no regard for her own safety. Marigold flinched at every sound her mother made.

“You bastards! You killed my love!” Priscilla screamed.

At that statement, Marco and Nico quickly lifted their heads to look at her. Marigold looked at her mother with horror. Priscilla continued to wail and thrash, trying to get free.

“What in the hell are you talking about?” Marco growled out.

“I’ve been in love with your father since we were kids. We were together, but because my family wasn’t as high up in the family, he couldn’t marry me. So I was stuck with Nico, but we still met up often to be together. And now he’s gone and I’m going to kill you all for taking him away from me.” Priscilla screamed.

“Funny. Like father, like son. Sounds like you’re more like your father than you thought Marco.” Marigold said from my lap.

“You’re lying. There’s no way!” Marco yells.

“Why would I lie about it now? You think I’m after something? What could I possibly want now that everything has fallen apart? Your mother was just a stupid woman who turned a blind eye to what your father was doing.”

“You stupid bitch!” Nico yelled.

Priscilla began laughing, and everyone in the room realized she was losing her mind. The more she laughed the angrier Marco and Nico became. Both men were trying to free themselves from their bindings. Each man had a murderous look on his face, and it was almost comical how easily their organization was falling apart.

“My only regret is that I didn’t punish you more, Magnolia!”

31: You Don’t Need To Know

Marigold

“My only regret is that I didn’t punish you more, Magnolia!”

I looked at my mother and wondered how she could live with herself, saying that to her only child. Was money and power all that she cared about? Even in a moment when she should have been worried about her own safety she was being a spiteful woman with nothing but hate in her heart.

“You were always such a disappointment. But that’s to be expected since you were Nico’s child. He was such a cowardly and incompetent man. You did nothing but take his horrible genes and make it worse. You couldn’t do anything right as a child. I had to beat you so much that you would pass out just so I could stand to be in the same room with you.”

I had felt Austin tensing under me, and I placed my hand on him. I heard another yell and looked to see Hammer standing and trying to make his way toward my mother. Then I could hear Marco yelling at her as well. I felt like the situation was getting out of control.

“You should have seen how she…”

A bullet hitting its mark in the center of her head cut her words off. Sasha stood there holding the gun, looking like he hadn’t done a thing. As he lowered the gun, he looked over at me and I could see pity in his gaze. Something told me he knew what it was like to be abused by a parent. But just as quickly as I saw it, it was gone.

“I couldn’t stand to listen to that crazy old bat any longer. Now where were we?” Sasha said and turned back to look at Marco. “My men have been working hard to get all those women you took back safely to their homes. Now I know what you’re thinking. Mafia business is all the same. But you’re wrong Marco. The people who work with me all have a choice. I offer protection to those who can’t defend themselves. I help take down those who seek out violence against the innocent. Am I a saint? No, of course not. But I’m not some dirty piece of shit human trafficker.”

Marco looked over at me with pleading eyes. He wanted me to beg for his life or to save him in some way. But after what I’d heard, there was no way I would do anything to help such a low man.

“Marigold, you have to know that I never intended to hurt you my flower. I love you.” Marco called out.

“Marco, I don’t think you even know the meaning of the word. How can you say you love me when you’ve never shown me? You’ve only become obsessed with me because I left you. If you were capable of loving someone, you wouldn’t have been cheating on me. And you wouldn’t have been able to do something so horrible as human trafficking.” I said, shaking my head at him.

“Marigold please?” He yelled. I looked at the man I had married. He was bleeding from several places and his clothes were covered in dirt. He looked pathetic, and I knew there would never be a time when I would respect him or even like him.

“You deserve whatever it is that Sasha gives you.” I turned and looked at Austin. “I don’t want to be here anymore.”

“It’s better that we take this party elsewhere. No, of you need to know the outcome of all this. It’s for your protection. Marigold, I wish you all the best. You will not have to worry about this family ever again.” Sasha said.

Everyone left the room so that the Russians could take care of not only Marco and his men, but also my mother’s body. By the next morning, there were no signs that anything had happened. Austin took me straight to the clinic, and Naomi checked over everything. I was doing just fine and so was my son. The proud look on Austin’s face was enough to bring tears to my eyes.

“You are so strong baby. Even with everything you went through, you still took care of you and your baby.” Austin said.

“Our baby. Austin, I want you to be the one to sign the birth certificate. If Marco is never going to be a problem again, I don’t want this child to know anything about who he was. I want you to be the only father he will ever know.”

“Nothing would make me happier.” He said, giving me a deep kiss.

“That’s enough of that mess! Where’s my girl?” I heard a voice call out.

There stood Nadine in the doorway. She looked like she had been up all night and it hit me she had been worried about me. I knew she cared about me, but something about the way she was looking at me told me just how much she loved me. She quickly walked over to me where I lay on the table and wrapped her arms around me.

“Lord child I was so scared I’d never get a chance to see you again. Tell me you’re alright, honey. Is my grandbaby alright too?” She said. I had never seen Nadine in such a state.

“We’re just fine. And your grandson is going to be alright Nadine.”

Her smile lit up the room. Her happiness filled me with a joy I had never known. Nadine had become the mother I had never had. I felt like I could go to her about anything and that she would protect me no matter what.

“I’m so glad. I don’t know what I would do without you.”

“I feel the same. Now that it’s all over, we can finally start living our lives without having to have secrets. I’m ready to have a normal life.” I said, giving Nadine a hug.

When Austin got me home, I fell into our bed. It hit me then what all I had just been through. The tears that I had tried so hard to avoid fell and Austin held me. Everything felt like it was hitting me at once.

“I’m sorry you’re having to go through all this. What can I do?” Austin asked.

“Tell me everything that happened. He lied so much and everything was just so messed up that I need to hear it all from you.”

Austin told me the entire story of what happened from the time I was taken until he showed up at the house. I was relieved to know that while Marco was spinning all his lies, Austin was fighting to get me back. It was an amazing feeling to know that my man loved me as much as I loved him.

That night I was eased into the best night of rest I had ever had. Having Austin wrapped around me gave me the best sense of security ever. It was the beginning of the life I had always dreamed of. I finally had a man that loved me and a child on the way. My past was behind me and I could look forward to the future.

32: Epilogue

Marigold

The days after my rescue revealed a lot about what had truly happened. Austin let me know it was a nomad for the club named Clutch who had turned me in. Turned out that he had become obsessed with Macy. he thought he could trick the club and Macy and could claim her. Macy was in love with Austin and that just made everything a mess.

According to Austin, Clutch had been dealt with and it was club business. I knew that was code for you can’t and don’t want to know what happened. All I knew was that he wasn’t ever going to be a problem for us. Macy had been moved off and was being watched by another club. Although she didn’t participate in the plot, she was still a problem for Austin and I.

The rest of the pregnancy flew by and that brings us up to today. I had gone into labor late yesterday afternoon and after almost twelve hours of labor; I gave birth to my beautiful boy. He has blonde hair and looks so much like me. I have thanked God so many times already that he seems to take after me and not his father. At eight pounds and twenty-two inches long, my Atlas was a big boy.

I fell in love instantly, but it was Austin who fell head over heels. I knew Austin would love Atlas, but this is crazy. Every visitor we’ve had has had to practically steal him away from his daddy. Austin would sit and watch him and thank me over and over for giving him such a perfect child.

My heart couldn’t be any fuller than it is right now. I’ve finally gotten to spend a few moments alone with my little man while feeding him. Austin received a call from the nurse’s desk that there was someone here to see him. Once he left, I settled into the bed surrounded by pillows and began to nurse.

Atlas had taken to breastfeeding easily, and I felt so a peace knowing that was one hurdle we were over. I was taking my fingers and running them through the hair on Atals’ head when the door opened. I covered myself just in time to she Sasha walking in with Austin.

“Congratulations on the birth of your son, Marigold.” Sasha said, while placing a large basket on a table.

“Thank you Sasha. What brings you here?” I ask. He may have helped bring me home, but I still felt like I needed to be on guard around him.

“I’ve come to bring you some good news. This will be the last time we see each other. But I knew you would need some closer from your past.” Sasha handed a large folder to Austin. “Inside, you will find several checks for Marigold. These are the life insurance policies for all the family you have lost, including the in-laws. Everyone from your past life has perished it seems, and you were the soul beneficiary. Marigold, you and Austin as well as your children will never need to work.”

“I don’t understand. How did I end up with all this?”

“Each member had multiple policies that were worth millions. All of it goes to you. I have taken the liberty of using the liquid assets and properties of the family to take care of the women that they had trafficked. I know it wasn’t something you knew anything about, but there were hundreds of women who had been taken. With the help of the records kept, we have recovered almost all of them and set them up for life. I may be a mafia don as you call it, but I’m not a monster.” Sasha says.

The look on his face is all I need to see to know that he’s being serious. Something has happened in his life that made him feel this way. Part of me wants to ask about it, but I know that it’s better for me to keep my mouth shut.

“Thank you Sasha. I’ve struggled with how I can ever live my life knowing that my husband and parents had done such a thing. I’ve only ever wanted to help people and to know that they were doing the exact opposite has been hard to take. But all the money should go to those women. I don’t need it.” i tell him.

“Marigold, you may have not been put into the trafficking ring, but make no mistake you were a victim as well. You were married off to a man and practically forced to have sex with him. There was never a point in your life where you had a choice when you were with them. Not to mention the physical abuse you suffered at the hands of your parents. You deserve that money just as much as the other women. Don’t let anyone make you think any different.” Sasha says.

“Marigold will never have to live in fear again.” Austin rumbles out.

“And that’s the reason I have left her in your care Data. I may have not known her before all this, but I see here for who she is, a strong woman who is a survivor.” Sasha says.

Atlas stirs, and I pull him out from the covering. Austin takes him and burps him. Sasha watching in curiosity as Austin plays the role of loving father.

“May I?” Sasha asks.

“Of course.” I say. Something within tells me that me and my family will never be in danger when this man is around. “His name is Atlas.”

“My Atlas you are a big boy,” Sasha says, smiling down at my son. “If any of you ever need anything, please contact me. Otherwise, this will be farewell.”

****

We’ve been home for two days and it feels like heaven. Austin has been very attentive and helped me with everything while I heal. The breastfeeding is going well and Atlas seems to be more than happy and content.

Naomi and Rachel have been coming over during the day to help me with cooking meals. Austin isn’t the best in the kitchen, but the man can clean better than anyone I’ve ever seen. I know that I’ve hit the jackpot of men.

“You two seem to have settled into a good routine. Data looks like he’s walking on cloud nine.” Rachel says.

“That man makes my life so much better and so much easier. I haven’t had to lift a finger to do anything. I wish he was the only man I’d ever been with.” I say with a smile.

“As long as he’s all you think about I think you’ll feel like he’s been the only one. He’s determined to make you the happiest woman alive.” Naomi says.

I hear sounds coming from right outside and look over at the girls. Rachel shrugs and Naomi just smiles as she holds Atlas. I get up and walk to the door and open it. There in the front yard is the entire MC. I’m stunned at what I’m seeing until I look at the bottom of the stairs.

There, down on one knee is Austin. He’s smiling and holding a small ring box in his hand. I must be in shock because I don’t move. Austin puts up his finger and beckons for me to come forward. I get to the bottom of the stairs and Austin takes my hand in his.

“Marigold, you’ve become the single most important person in my life. Then you gave me a beautiful son to add to it. There’s nothing more in the world that I want than to be your husband. I want to spend my life making you smile. I want to be able to teach our son how to treat a woman with love and respect. I also want to fill you with as many babies as you’ll let me. So I only have one question for you. Marigold, will you marry me?”

“Yes!” I scream and fall into his arms.

I know that without a doubt that no matter what we face in this life, Austin and I will overcome it. And I know that no one will ever come between us. My life is finally complete.